"Our travel agency started offering Central Asia tours in 2010, but the groups were small and mainly business-oriented. However, with the Belt and Road Initiative, interest in Central Asia has visibly grown. After the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi'an last year there has been a surge in interest and in the number of tour groups."

The visa-free policy has led to a 30 percent year-on-year increase in the number of tour groups, Cai said.

"During the May Day holiday, many tour groups and trade exhibition groups headed to Central Asia. This year many more Chinese trade exhibition groups are heading there to showcase their products in exhibitions and explore business opportunities, boosting trade between China and Central Asian countries."

Deepening relationship

Zou Tongqian, the first Chinese vice-rector of the "Silk Road" International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand, said there are many reasons for the recent travel boom in Central Asia.

"It's closely tied to the deepening relationship between Central Asian countries and China," Zou said.

"At last year's China-Central Asia Summit, China and the five Central Asian countries agreed to boost cooperation in many areas, while emphasizing tourism cooperation and the creation of China-Central Asia travel routes. The visit of the Uzbek president to China and the frequent visits of Chinese governmental delegations to Central Asia have all boosted the two sides' business and tourism cooperation."

An increase in the number of flights — including direct flights between China and Central Asian countries boosted by government policies — has also contributed greatly to making Central Asia more attractive as a tourist destination, Zou said.